crest
/krɛst/
noun
Origin
Latin
crista — tuft, plume, comb
Overview
Meaning Now
- A tuft or growth of feathers, fur, or skin on the top of the head of a bird or other animal.
- The top line of a mountain range, hill, or wave.
- A decorative design or device used on a coat of arms or above a shield.
Literal older meaning
the comb or tuft on a bird's head
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
creste
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word originally referred specifically to the fleshy comb on a bird's head. By the medieval period, it was extended to heraldry (the device atop a helmet) and geological features (the ridge of a hill or wave).
Evolution
- Latin
crista
“tuft, plume”
- Old French
creste
“crest, ridge”
- Middle English
creste
“crest, ridge”
Connections
Word parts
crest
root
top or ridge
Related across languages
French
crête
crest, ridge
Spanish
cresta
crest, comb
Explore next
Related to crest
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.